san francisco tourist tram

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How to Ride

The san francisco cable car.

This post is a guide to riding the famous San Francisco cable cars including tips on tickets, routes, and how to ride.

We give you tips on which important attractions and sights can be seen with each particular line. We also include a ride (and tutorial) on our  San Francisco in One Day Tour . 

As a local San Francisco tour guide, I spend a lot of time doing things alone, often before or after my tours.

To help write this post, I've used some of my and my fellow guides' experiences on the cable cars and streetcars.

I've also used some of the ideas from people like you, folks who have taken our tours.

I hope the post provides you with all of the info you need to have an enjoyable ride through the beautiful city of San Francisco!

• Cable Car Routes
• Where to Board
• Tickets + Schedules
• Information, Including How to Ride a Cable Car
• Cable Cars vs. Streetcars
• Tips from Locals and Travelers
• Things to do in San Francisco

CABLE CAR ROUTES

There are three routes you can choose from.

• Powell-Hyde Line (Blue Line)
• Powell-Mason Line (Green Line)
• California Line (Red Line)

Which cable car route is the best to take?

Though each route provides breathtaking views, your experience will vary depending on the direction the car is going, your location in the car, your driver, and traffic. 

All three lines intersect at the California Street and Powell Street intersection.

Click on the image below to open a larger interactive San Francisco Cable Car map.

Most San Franciscans will tell you that the Powell-Hyde line is the most exciting trip to take and we wholeheartedly agree.

The Powell-Hyde Street line starts at the cable car turnaround at Powell Street and Market Street ( map ).

On this route, you'll have views of  Coit Tower , Alcatraz Island , the Financial District, and San Francisco Bay.

As it rides north along Powell Street, you pass by Union Square, through the downtown area, and ride up to Nob Hill where the views can’t be beaten.  

You'll also pass the  Cable Car Museum , which is located at 1201 Mason Street, worth a visit if you are interested in the mechanics and history of cable cars.

As the ride continues up (and up, and up) to Russian Hill, you'll cross Lombard Street , known as the "Crookedest Street in the World."  

It's from this stop (Hyde and Lombard) that you will get an unobstructed view of Alcatraz Island.

The car then plunges (VERY slowly) down the steep Russian Hill and you'll arrive at Fisherman's Wharf . From there, where you connect with our Fisherman's Wharf tour or see Pier 39 at the end of the route!

One thing it's important to note is that tickets for this line must be purchased in advance of boarding if traveling between 8 am and 8 pm.

TIP:  For the best views, we suggest riding on the right side of the car if you're departing from Powell & Market, and the left side if you're departing from Hyde & Beach.

Which cable car goes to Chinatown?

The California Line will take you to the southern end of Chinatown. It's not the most popular cable car line in the Bay Area, but it's an excellent option if you want to visit this historic district of San Francisco.

This cable car service will also take you to the Financial District!

Which cable car goes to Lombard Street?

As we mentioned previously, the Powell-Hyde line will take you to the top of Lombard Street, but if you want to see it from the bottom, you should take the Powell-Mason Street line instead.

It's also worth noting that the Powell-Mason line ends just a few blocks short of the Aquatic Park.

WHERE TO BOARD A CABLE CAR

The easiest way to start your cable car ride is at one of the turnarounds (in other words, the beginning/end of the line).

Above you'll find a video of the Powell-Market Sts. turnaround where you can see the conductor and grip operator turn the cable car around so it can head back in the other direction!

You may also start your cable car ride at any stop along the route . 

Stops are located about every two blocks along each line, and you'll see a brown and white sign that says MUNI Cable Car Stop.

When waiting at the stop, you'll see the cable car approaching from a distance. - when it nears you, raise your hand to signal the driver to stop or the driver may pass you by!

Keep in mind that if you board at a stop that is somewhat near the beginning of the cable car line, the car might be full and you won't be allowed to board.

CABLE CAR TICKETS

You have a few different payment options to buy your ticket:

The most convenient way is to purchase tickets from the MUNImobile app . 

You then use the app to open the ticket image which you then show the conductor! It's very cool and super convenient. 

You can also buy your tickets at the ticket booths located at the Powell-Market Street turnaround and the Hyde-Beach Street cable car turnaround.

Be warned: lines at the ticket booths can be very long.

Buy your ticket from the cable car conductor. Officially, you can only pay with exact change.

However, conductors often give back change, but you must pay with small bills ($1, $5, $10, $20). The driver won't take any money larger than a $20 bill.

You can buy your tickets from the San Francisco Convention & Visitors Bureau (also at Powell and Market).

TIP:  Instead of waiting in long lines at the ticket booths, walk up a few blocks, catch your cable car there, and purchase your ticket from the conductor.

But remember, you must have small bills to purchase your ticket from the cable car conductor.  

CABLE CAR TICKET PRICES

You may have heard that you can hop off and on cable cars as many times as you like once you purchase a ticket.

This isn't exactly true, though there is a way to use cable cars as a hop-on/hop-off tour experience.

So, how much does it cost to take a cable car ride in San Francisco?

Single Ride Tickets  

These are $8 a trip (no transfers) although there's a discount of $4 for seniors, the disabled, and those with Medicare if they ride before 7 am and after 9 pm. An ID for the latter may be required.

Note that youth under the age of four can ride cable cars for free.

These tickets are valid for a single ride. If you start your ride, then get out of the car and try to board a different car, you will have to pay another $7.

Visitor Passport Tickets  

If you are interested in taking more than one ride or doing a self-planned hop-on/hop-off trip, you may want to buy a Visitor Passport Ticket.

These tickets give you unlimited rides on cable cars and other transportation modes (Muni, Muni Metro, and historic streetcars).  

You can purchase the following tickets, however, it's important to note that multi-day passes must be used consecutively.

• 1-Day | $13.00 plus a $3.00 card fee
• 3-Day | $31.00 plus a $3.00 card free
• 7-Day | $41.00 plus a $3.00 card fee

Note that there is a discount on these if you purchase them on the MuniMobile app, though you can also find them at ticket kiosks and sales locations.

For more information check the  San Francisco MTA  website.

A bonus: if you are buying a Visitor Passport ticket, these tickets sometimes save you money at San Francisco attractions.

One of the most common savings is at stores at Ghirardelli Square.

So head over to the Powell-Hyde line and then hop over to Ghirardelli for a delicious ice cream sundae after your ride!

TIP: If you are thinking about taking a guided hop-on/hop-off bus tour, take a look at our post for all the options as well as recommendations   Which San Francisco Bus Tour Is Best?

CABLE CAR SCHEDULES

The cable car hours start at 7 am and some operate until 11 pm every day.

With 62 stations on the 3 cable car lines, we can't list the entire schedule here.

However, you can plan out your trip on the SFMTA website. This is where you can see the departure schedule for your desired station.

CABLE CAR INFORMATION

Below we've included some information on how to ride a cable car, about how they work, and about the history of this San Francisco landmark.

How to Ride a Cable Car

Riding a cable car is somewhere between riding an open-air bus and taking a roller coaster ride (but a slow roller coaster!)

If you have never ridden a cable car before, it's good to know the 'rules of the road', especially if you want to have the best views or the most comfortable ride -- or both!

When you board the cable car, you'll have to decide what kind of ride you want to take.

Many people prefer to sit down for a more comfortable ride (although the wooden benches are pretty hard, and the cable car does bounce around a bit).

Other people prefer to stand up and hold onto the poles to make the ride a little more exciting, especially as the car goes up and down the steep San Francisco hills.

Note that the cars don't stop at every single stop. You must let the driver know ahead of time by saying something like "Next stop, please".

Most importantly make sure to keep your arms and legs inside the car--we don't want anybody getting hurt!

Above is a video where you can see for yourself the best way to ride the cable cars and what you shouldn't do while riding one (like waving...not a great idea!)

How Cable Cars Work

It's actually quite simple.

The cable car runs on a track that is connected to a cable line. The cable lines are always moving through the city streets at a constant speed.

When the conductor needs to stop, he or she simply releases the car's grip on the cable. To move, the grip is initiated again.

Thus all the movement of the cars comes from the tracks and below.

History of the Cable Cars

Before cable cars were invented, the only form of mass transit was horse-drawn trolleys.  

That's fine in flat areas of the region. But San Francisco is well known for its steep hills.

Enter Andrew Hallidie, a wealthy businessman who, after witnessing a bad horse-trolley accident said to himself, "There's got to be a better way!"

He put his time, money, and energy into discovering that better way, and in 1873 the San Francisco Cable Car took to the streets.

They quickly became one of the city’s most widely used and most recognized modes of transportation.

Though the cable car system was nearly eliminated twice (once due to the destruction caused by the 1906 earthquake, and again in 1947 at the hands of the city’s mayor), the cable car has always managed to stay on its tracks.

The San Francisco Cable Cars were named a National Historic Landmark in 1964, the first public transportation system to do so.

You can read more about its history at  San Francisco Cable Cars: The Invention that Changed a City .

SAN FRANCISCO STREETCARS

Despite the common belief that the San Francisco Cable Car and San Francisco Streetcars are synonymous and interchangeable, this isn’t actually the case.  

The cable car runs on a track that is connected to a cable line, thus all the movement of the cars comes from the tracks and below.

The streetcar runs on tracks as well but has an electrical pole on top connecting it to a wire, its main source of power.

They could technically be called a San Francisco Tram or even a San Francisco Trolley but this is not something locals like to hear.

You can read more about the city's streetcars at  How to Ride San Francisco's Historic Streetcar .

The  San Francisco Cable Car  looks like this:

The  San Francisco Streetcar  looks like this:

Hop on, hold tight, and enjoy your ride in San Francisco!!

TIPS FROM LOCALS AND TRAVELERS

While we do our best to provide all the information you'll need to ride San Francisco cable cars and streetcars, sometimes you need answers to specific questions related to your personal experience.

Thankfully, our  San Francisco Travel Tips group on Facebook is the perfect place to look for any answers you may need.

Here are a few examples of interesting and helpful tips and tricks provided by our staff and others:

• Skip long lines by riding before 9 in the morning or after 8 at night.
• You can also skip long lines at one stop by walking up to the next cable car stop.
• Sadly, cable cars do not have accessible boarding.
• If you can, stand on the ride and grab onto a pole. Hold very tightly!
• The most popular seats face outside and they are grabbed quickly. If you want one and aren't first in line, go around to the other side of the car.
• Be sure to keep your backpacks, bags, and purses toward the center of the car and not dangling outside of the car because trucks, buses, and other cable cars pass nearby.
• If traffic allows, the driver may let you off between stops. No matter what though, you should not get off until the car comes to a complete stop.

Related Posts

• Hop-On-Hop-Off Bus Tours
• Things to Do in San Francisco
• Alcatraz Tours

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Cable Car – Travel Guide for the famous tram in San Francisco (USA)

24. October 2018 Categories: Travel reports , North America , USA , California

In the last few days we have already looked at the most important sights of San Francisco and have really got to know this great city at its best and in bright sunshine. What was missing at the end of our last day was a ride on the legendary Cable Car 🙂

Table of contents

Things to know about the Cable Car

Many of you know San Francisco from movies and know that the streets of the city are sometimes very steep. This is exactly what the legendary Cable Cars were built for, which are the last remaining cable tram in the world with decoupled carriages. The Cable Cars are also the only National Historic Landmark in the United States to travel on the roads.

The history of cable cars in San Francisco

The history of cable cars in San Francisco dates back to the 19th century. Andrew Smith Hallidie , the owner of a wire rope factory, observed a situation in 1869 when a horse-drawn tram slid backwards due to the incredibly heavy load, sadly killing five horses. This experience, as well as his experience in handling wire ropes when pulling wagons in mines, led him to build San Francisco’s first cablecar. Already in 1873 he tested the first cableway system on a small track… and it worked, so that from September 1, 1873, the Clay Street line began to operate. The first line ran on California Street and is the oldest of the active lines still in operation today.

In the years 1877 to 1892 further lines were put into operation. At its peak in the early 20th century, about 600 cars drove through the city at the same time. The interesting thing is that different operating companies have put different routes of the cable cars into operation. Each of the companies had its own network of lines and due to the different construction methods of the wagons and rails, the competing companies could not drive foreign routes at all.

Historical pictures of the Cable Car in San Francisco

The decline of cable trams

At the turn of the century, several lines of the old cable cars were converted to the new electric tram systems, as they were significantly faster than the old cable cars.

In 1906, the Great Earthquake of San Francisco destroyed almost all lines of the Cable Car. As part of the reconstruction, electric trams were built and used in most places. Only on the steepest stretches of the network did the cable car connections remain. In the 1920s and 1930s, there were also very powerful diesel and trolleybuses, which could also be used on the steep roads, so that they were to gradually replace the cable cars. In 1944, there were only two lines of the Powell Street Line and three lines of the California Cable Car.

A referendum to preserve the remaining cable cars

When the mayor of San Francisco, Roger Lapham, wanted to replace the last urban lines of the cable car with buses in 1947 for cost and safety reasons, the citizen Friedel Klussmann founded the initiative ‘ Citizens Committee to Save the Cable Cars ‘. With her counter-campaign, she wanted to preserve this historic landmark of San Francisco.

She succeeded in attracting famous and well-known personalities for her cause. And so it happened that their citizens’ association collected more than 50,000 signatures, which ultimately led to a referendum. Friedel Klussmann was right about the result of this referendum: With almost 167,000 votes against about 51,500 votes, the decision was in favour of the Cable Cars, so that the city was obliged to continue the lines. In later years, Friedel Klussmann also championed the Cable Cars by intervening in the planned closure of the line and by agreeing compromises with the city.

In 1964, the Cable Cars were designated a National Historic Landmark and placed under national monument protection. In 1997, in memory of Friedel Klussmann, who died in 1986, the hub at the outer terminal of the Powell-Hyde line was inaugurated as the ‘Friedel Klussmann Memorial Turnaround’.

Repairs & Renewals

In 1978, the cable car lines had to be closed for about seven months because of the urgent need for repairs for about 60 million US dollars. Only 5 years later, all track systems and cable ducts were renewed, the machine house was gutted and equipped with new machines. In addition, 37 Cable Car cars have been restored or rebuilt and put into service.

Since this total refurbishment, there have been several smaller restoration projects to preserve the cable car routes and tracks.

How does a Cable Car actually work?

All the “magic” of the cable cars actually takes place under the streets of San Francisco. Along the various routes, an endlessly circumferential 3 cm thick wire rope runs between the rails in an underground cable channel. In this cable channel, discs, deflection rollers and vertical rollers force the cables at a constant speed into an endless loop, around curves and also over the steep hills of the city. Large, horizontally arranged discs then deflect the cables at the respective end statioenn. Special discs in front of and behind the slopes ensure their length compensation and prevent them from being ripped out of their guide.

The cars themselves do not actually have their own drive. The so-called “ Gripman “, which controls the cable cars, grips the moving rope in the cable duct with a clamping claw through a slot in the roadway. The cable car is then pulled at a constant speed of approx. 15 km/h until the driver unplugs the gripper. This happens, for example, when driving downhill. A second person in the rear of the cable car is responsible for braking. It also acts as a conductor as long as the additional braking power is not required. Gripman and Brakeman communicate over two bells while driving. Three independent systems are available for slowing down the cable cars.

On YouTube we found a short video explaining how the technique works in general.

The Cable Car Museum & the Machine House

If you are more interested in the technology of cable cars, you should definitely visit the Cable Cars machine house at the intersection of Mason Street and Washington Street. On the one hand there is a small museum with exhibits and pictures about the history of the cable cars, some cars from the 19th century as well as some exhibits, which explain the technology in more detail.

But the building is not only a museum, but is still the heart of the cable cars. From the museum you have a great view of the large motors that pull the four surrounding ropes through the whole city. For each rope you will find three large wheel wheels, so-called sheaves. The middle one is the drive wheel, in front of it is the circulating wheel, whereby the rope is run around the first so that it is placed on the entire circumference of the drive wheel to maximize friction. If you go down the stairs at the museum entrance, you can see how the ropes are laid below the street.

Admission is the museum is free. The opening hours are from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. (April to October) and 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. (November to March).

The Cable Car Museum

The entrance to the museum

The motors and winches of the Cable Car

An old cable car

A ride on the Cable Car

What do you have to consider.

If you want to drive a cable car for the first time, you may be unsure what to consider. Which lines are there, where do I buy the tickets, where do I get in and can I stand on the stepping board during the ride? In short: it’s all super simple 🙂

– you do not need a reservation – you simply choose one of the 3 routes – you get to one of the final stops or one of the many stopovers – you can sit down, stand in the aisle or stand on the side footboard – and the ticket can be purchased before or only on board at the conductor

How to ride the Cable Car?

Operating Hours & Tickets

The operating times of the three Cable Car lines are different. The first cable car of the Powell/Hyde line starts at 6 a.m. in the morning, the last one at 0.20 o’clock in the night. This is similar for the other routes, but also varies a bit on weekdays and weekends. The exact times of each line can be read here: Powell/Hyde Line , Powell/Mason Line , California Line . The frequency also varies, but is usually every 6 to a maximum of 15 minutes.

On the official website of the San Francisco Municipal Transportation Agency ( SFMTA ) you can find the valid ticket prices. A ride on the Cable Car currently costs 7 US dollars per person. A ticket can be purchased at the final stops or you pay directly on board at the conductor. Another option is the San Francisco CityPASS ®, which allows you to use the cable cars for 3 days and also to visit other selected sights free of charge.

Our tip: Instead of a “single ride” for 7 US dollars, you can also buy a “1-Day Visitor Passport” via the APP MuniMobile for just 12 US dollars. With this day ticket you can travel as often as you would like by cable car, all buses, the Muni Metro or the historic tram as you want 🙂

Where is the best place to get in?

Almost 90 of the people at one of the 6 terminus board the cable car. As a result, there are sometimes very long queues forming here, especially at the weekend at the final stop of the Powell/Hyde and Powell/Mason lines on Market Street in Downtown.

Hence our tip: Simply use the intermediate stops of the Cable Car. These are located after almost every block of houses on the routes – in most cases in the middle of the junction or just before the intersection. Sometimes these are a bit hard to find, but usually a small brown sign signals a corresponding stop. And you can climb anywhere. So if you go north just two blocks along Powell Street (direction Union Square) instead of at the final stop on Market Street, the next stop is directly at H&M on the corner of Powell Street and O’Farrell Street. In the cable cars there are always enough seats left, so that you can then easily climb here – and almost always without waiting!

So you don’t always have to walk to one of the final stops.

The 3 different lines of the Cable Car

Of the original 21 lines at the beginning of the 20th century, 3 lines are still in operation in San Francisco. The Powell-Hyde and Powell-Mason lines stretch from Downtown to Fisherman’s Wharf. The California line crosses these two lines and runs west-east through the city. On the following Google map we have drawn the history of the 3 lines:

The Powell Hyde Line (Line 60)

The most popular cable car route in San Francisco is certainly the Powell-Hyde line (line 60). It runs from Market Street in Downtown to the Maritime National Historical Park at Fisherman’s Wharf. The Powell-Hyde line runs north from the final stop at the Powell and Market intersection in downtown San Francisco, past Union Square, and then steeply up Nob Hill. Here it crosses California Street to turn four blocks further sharply to the left into Jackson Street (this is a one-way street to the west, to the east the cars drive on Washington Street). Here we go up again to Hyde Street, where the track turns north again and leads over the Russian Hill steeply down to the coast to the eastern end of Fisherman’s Wharf. [Source: Wikipedia.org]

Where can you get past everywhere on this route?

– at Union Square – Near Chinatown – at the Cable Car Museum – on Lombard Street – Fisherman’s Wharf (at the western end, Hyde Street Pier)

The special thing about the Powell-Hyde line is the views you have when driving steeply down from Lombard Street towards Fisherman’s Wharf. The route offers great views of the Bay, Alcatraz Prison Island and golden gate bridge on Hyde Street.

Long queues at the turning point of Powell Street

The Cable Car on Powell Street

The Cable Car turning point in Powell Street

Manually turning the Cable Cars

The Cable Car Turnaround

Powell Street towards Union Square

Several Cable Cars at the final stop

Cable Cars on Powell Street

The final stop near Fisherman's Wharf

Hyde & Beach Street terminus

The Powell-Hyde line towards San Francisco Bay

A Cable Car in San Francisco

The Powell-Mason Line (Line 59)

The Powell-Mason Line (line 59) takes you from Market Street to Pier 45 at Fisherman’s Wharf, where the historic warships USS Pampanito and SS Jeremiah O’Brien are also on display. The Powell-Mason line divides the first section of the line from Market Street to Nob Hill with the Powell-Hyde line. On the hill, however, it already branches off on Mason Street to the north, leading steeply down to Columbus Avenue, which follows it one block wide, and then two more blocks on Taylor Street to the north. The line ends three blocks in front of Pier 43. [Source: Wikipedia.org]

– at Union Square – Near Chinatown – at the Cable Car Museum – North Beach District – Fisherman’s Wharf (2 blocks from Pier 45)

The turning point Bay Street & Mason Street

The Cable Car in San Francisco

The terminus of the Powell & Mason line

The Cable Cars in San Francisco

The California Street Line (Line 61)

The California Street line runs along California Street and therefore from west to east through the city. It is the line least used by tourists. One of the two terminator stations is located on Market Street, almost at the height of the Ferry Building in the Financial District. The California Street line follows California Street along its entire length. The second terminus is on Van Ness Avenue to the west.

– Financial District – Chinatown – Nob Hill – Grace Cathedral

A cable car of the California line

The California Line towards Market Street

The best place for photos

This is the best way to drive with the Cable Car

Is it worth a ride on the Cable Car?

Yes, of course! If you’re in San Francisco, a ride on the cable car is just part of it. We had a day ticket and drove all 3 routes in both directions, mostly standing on the footboard. That’s just the most fun 🙂 We can only recommend not only driving the Powell Hyde line used by everyone, but also trying out the California line. There’s less going on here and the line is worth it for a visit to Grace Cathedral.

All travelogues from California (2018)

Real history, real experiences, real San Francisco

What you need to know, sightsee780139, tripadvisor.

Such an interesting deep dive into the Castro and Mission neighborhoods, for which we had an incredibly sunny warm summer day. Our guide was extremely knowledgeable, having grown up in the area, and pointed out not only historical places, but beautiful murals, homes and fun nooks and crannies (like hidden stairways to streets) that we never would have seen on our own. We definitely came away with much more of an appreciation for Castro and the Mission (love Dolores Park!) and will seek out other neighborhoods on our next trip!

I had the most amazing time, as a solo traveller doing a small group tour is perfect. My tour guide was very knowledgeable and friendly. He gave us lots of fun facts along the way and the whole experience was very interesting. Bring your walking shoes we started at 10 am and finished at 6 pm, I highly recommend you do this tour. We went to places tourist didn’t go.

Jamie Sarkozi

My Boyfriend and I booked an all Day SF tour with Christofer and had an amazing time! He knew a ton of history which we loved and we were able to see a ton. We loved it as it had been our first time visiting. Would highly recommend to anyone wanting to be shown around the city.

Edgar Wallace

Did a wonderful tour with these guys while I was in San Francisco on business. I’d also done a tour with the sister company in Los Angeles several years ago. Kevin, who was the guide, was great and it was so nice to be outside. We learnt tons about SF. Definitely recommended!

Our guide Damien was so very knowledgeable about the area and history of SF. We experienced different methods of transport (avoiding those big hills!) and areas we would not otherwise have known about.

Damien was the best! Friendly & very informative. He took into consideration our interests & made it very enjoyable. Great exercise- best way to see SF. Liked Haight Ashbury the most.

Campanilla2014

We had a two day layover in San Francisco, so we wanted to make the most of our time there. It’s always been somewhere we wanted to visit and on this tour we got to all the places we most dreamed of going – downtown, Nob hill, Castro, Haight Ashbury, painted ladies, Lombard St, North beach and Chinatown. It was only a small group and the guide was amazing. It wasn’t tiring at all and we had a great time jumping from trains to buses to cable cars. AWESOME DAY!!!

How to Use Public Transport in SF

San Francisco has a great reputation where public transport is concerned – our cable cars are world-famous and many visitors come here wanting to ride one, it's part of the romance of the city by the bay. Unfortunately though, using the system(s) and various modes of public transport in SF that are available – cable cars, trams. trains, buses and ferries – is more complicated that it should be, creating ample opportunities for confusion, frustration and extra expense.

Fear not though, with this handy guide on how to use public transport in SF, you'll easily be able to navigate the city and make the most of your trip. The fact is that San Francisco does have a good metro system, so we really wouldn't recommend renting a car during your visit. There are so many one-way streets and steep hills, the traffic's often horrendous and parking is always both hard to find and expensive, that using public transport really is your best option.

With that said, the first thing to understand about public transport in San Francisco is that there are four different metro systems.

Bay Area Public Transport Agencies

Bay area rapid transport - bart.

The most well-known of the public transport agencies in the Bay Area, BART is a metro rail system with fifty stations spread over 131 miles of track. It's the biggest transportation system in the region, connecting cities in the Bay Area (including San Francisco, Richmond, Oakland, Berkeley and Alameda ), across five counties.

SAN FRANCISCO MUNICIPAL TRANSPORTATION AGENCY (SFMTA) - MUNI

This agency covers the city and county of San Francisco itself (they're the same) and operates light rail lines, buses and our famous cable cars.

For more specific information about how to use San Francisco cable-cars snd trams, which is a must-do for many visitors, read our helpful guide .

This company operates commuter trains from Santa Clara (Silicon Valley) to downtown. Be sure to check their schedule before using, as this is not a turn-up and go service.

SAN FRANCISCO BAY FERRY

The Ferries operate numerous services out of Fisherman's Wharf and the Ferry Terminal to destinations across San Francisco Bay, such as Richmond, Oakland, Alameda and Harbor Bay. Some ferry routes only operate in the early morning and late afternoon as commuter services, so be sure to check the timetable before getting to the wharf.

Having all these different agencies can be confusing and there is a proposal to combine the two main agencies, BART and MUNI. As it is several metro stations across San Francisco operate both BART and MUNI services and you can combine journeys using different systems pretty easily, especially if you use a Clipper Card (more on that below).

Which Mass Transit Agency to Use in SF

If you're arriving at either San Francisco International or Oakland Airports or staying in Berkeley or Oakland, for example, you'll need to use BART. It's a quick and easy option, as BART mostly operates a turn-up and go service, with trains arriving every 2-8 minutes at the busier stations.

If you're staying near the Bay, in Oakland, Richmond or Alameda, consider taking a ferry across the Bay. It's a great way to travel and it's cheaper than taking a tour boat ride.

If you're in San Francisco itself, then you'll most likely be using the MUNI system. There's a great network of underground light rail, buses and cable cars which can get you close to most places that you're going to want to go.

If you're planning on taking a cable car just bear in mind that they're small and can get very crowded with all the other tourists. The most scenic routes are the California Street and Powell-Hyde lines.

If you're staying in San Jose, Mountain View, Palo Alto or Menlo Park you'll probably need to use Caltrain and then change onto MUNI or BART.

BEST WAY TO USE PUBLIC TRANSPORT IN SF

This bit's easy – get a Clipper Card . You can buy tickets individually of course, but that could get pretty expensive – a one-way adult ticket for the cable-car is $8 for example. Clipper Cards are available in person at most stations for $3, but if you order online it's free.

With a Clipper Pass you're able to use BART, MUNI, Caltrain and San Francisco Bay Ferry services. You can either buy a travel pass or load a cash amount on your card (you can start with just $20, which would be enough for several rides) and there are discounts for seniors, juniors and others.

A MUNI Pass is a good option if you're mostly staying within San Francisco itself. An Adult Day Pass is $13, which is pretty reasonable for SF.

As you would expect there is an app which allows users to purchase and redeem tickets for use on MUNI cable cars, trams, trains and buses. You can get it for free via the SFMTA website, here .

GETTING TO THE GOLDEN GATE BRIDGE BY BUS

The best way to get to the Golden Gate Bridge by public transport is to take a bus to the transit center just south of the bridge, which is only a short walk away.

• To or from Civic Center: routes 30, 70 and 101 leave from 7th & Market streets or across the street from City Hall at McAllister and Polk Streets. All these buses serve the transit center just south of the Golden Gate Bridge.
• To or from Fisherman’s Wharf: route 28 from North Point and Van Ness Avenue, right behind Aquatic Park, or buses 70, 30 from Van Ness and Union Street.
• Best way to do it: why not take the historic Streetcar F-Market line along the waterfront, from the Ferry Terminal to Fisherman's Wharf? From there, take the 28 bus from North Point and Van Ness Avenue to the bridge.

OTHER EXAMPLES OF SAN FRANCISCO PUBLIC TRANSPORT

• Staying in Oakland and want to visit San Francisco for the day? Take the BART train from Oakland and change onto the California Street Cable-Car at Embarcadero Station to visit the Cable Car Museum on Nob Hill , then walk down the hill, through Chinatown to North Beach .
• Staying in Berkeley and want to have lunch at Fisherman's Wharf? Take the ferry across the bay from Richmond to Embarcadero, then take the F-Market line streetcar, from right outside the Ferry Building. Taken the other way the bus goes through Chinatown, past the Civic Center, to Castro .

We hope you found our guide to using public transport in SF helpful. We look forward to meeting you on one of our tours soon. All of them start and end at a train station or bus stop, so they're really to do using either BART or MUNI.

Also, our SF in a Day and Half-Day SF City Highlight tours each include two cable car rides and we also usually take the F Market & Wharves tram line, to go to Castro. All metro travel is included in the ticket price on both tours.

For information about bicycling in San Francisco, read our helpful guide .

Map of BART System

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23 Top-Rated Tourist Attractions in San Francisco

Written by Lisa Alexander and Lana Law Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Set along the ocean, with rolling hills and the iconic Golden Gate Bridge, San Francisco is one of the most beautiful cities in the United States and the jewel of Northern California. The city is full of history, great neighborhoods, parks , beaches , museums, entertainment options, and an astounding variety of restaurants.

Some of the most famous attractions are Alcatraz Island and Fisherman's Wharf, but the sightseeing possibilities here are extensive. San Francisco's Chinatown is the largest of its kind in North America and definitely worth visiting. For an exciting experience, hop on one of the historic cable cars and tour the city.

Discover more things to do with our list of the top tourist attractions in San Francisco.

1. Golden Gate Bridge

2. alcatraz island, 3. fisherman's wharf, 4. ride the cable cars, 5. golden gate park, 6. chinatown, 7. legion of honor fine arts museum of san francisco, 8. palace of fine arts, 9. california academy of sciences, 10. san francisco museum of modern art, 11. de young fine arts museum of san francisco, 12. twin peaks, 13. asian art museum, 14. exploratorium, 15. golden gate national recreation area, 16. oracle park, 17. day trip to napa valley, 18. hike and picnic on angel island state park, 19. ghirardelli square, 20. high tea at a historic hotel, 21. walt disney family museum, 22. muir woods national monument, 23. coit tower, where to stay in san francisco for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to san francisco, san francisco, ca - climate chart.

The Golden Gate Bridge appears even more beautiful and impressive in real life than it looks in photos. It is the most photographed site in the city, with the orange structure backed by blue water, or in many cases, peaking through a dense layer of coastal fog. At night, the flood-lit structure is equally striking.

Connecting San Francisco with Marin County and other districts further north, the Golden Gate Bridge was, at one time, designated the greatest man-made sight in the United States by the U.S. Travel Service. Opened on May 28th, 1937, the bridge took four years to build and at the time of its completion, was the longest suspension bridge in the world, measuring approximately two miles in length.

If you want to drive over the Golden Gate Bridge, the road is US Hwy 101 , or SR 1. On the east side of the bridge, a sidewalk is open to pedestrians. Bicycle access is allowed on both sides of the bridge.

The walk across the bridge begins at the Golden Gate Bridge Welcome Center (near the Presidio GO shuttle bus drop-off point) and ends in Marin County with a panoramic viewpoint of San Francisco's cityscape.

Many locals enjoy biking across the bridge to the nearby waterfront town of Sausalito .

For a great view of the bridge, or for anyone interested in photographing the bridge, there are a number of ideal vantage points. From the San Francisco side, Nob Hill , an area known for its posh old mansions, offers some beautiful views over the bridge.

On the opposite side of the bridge, in Marin County, the Golden Gate National Recreation Area is another good place to visit. Also, if you take a tour of Alcatraz Island, you will enjoy completely open views of the Golden Gate Bridge from the boat and island.

The former federal penitentiary, located on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco Bay, was one of America's most infamous prisons. It operated for almost thirty years, closing in 1963 and re-opening as a tourist attraction in 1973.

Some of America's most well-known criminals were incarcerated here, including Al Capone, "Machine-Gun" Kelly, and the "Birdman," who would later form the basis for the fictional movie The Birdman of Alcatraz .

In the course of its 30-year existence, the penitentiary received a total of 1,576 convicts. There were never more than 250 at any one time, even though therewere 450 cells measuring about 10ft by 4ft. At times the number of guards and staff was greater than the number of convicts. Alcatraz Island is also home to migrating birds.

You can visit Alcatraz on a guided tour (which includes round-trip ferry transportation from Pier 33). Choose from a daytime tour or an evening tour.

At the Alcatraz prison site, you are provided with an exceptional audio recording that offers a glimpse into life in the cellhouse, rather than just a historical list of the facts. The narration is even voiced by former inmates and guards of Alcatraz.

If you have just one day to explore San Francisco, try a combined Alcatraz and San Francisco City Tour which covers Fisherman's Wharf, Chinatown, and the Golden Gate Bridge. Alcatraz regularly sells out, so booking in advance is strongly advised.

Locals call it a tourist trap, but visitors can't seem to resist. Fisherman's Wharf ranks as one of San Francisco's most popular tourist spots. The picturesque waterfront scenery and old-fashioned Italian fishing boats ( feluccas ), not to mention the fresh-caught Dungeness crab, make quite an impression!

Originally the "Little Italy" district of San Francisco, Fisherman's Wharf is known for its shops, restaurants, and spectacular setting. Italian immigrants began to arrive in San Francisco in the 1860s and brought the waterfront to life with seafood commerce.

Some of the best seafood is served in the bay-view dining room of Scoma's restaurant. It's a great place for a gourmet dining experience. Or you could sample the local specialty of seafood stew at Cioppino's Restaurant just steps away from the waterfront.

Pier 39 is a hub of activity at Fisherman's Wharf. Be sure to go for a stroll here and check out the dozens of boutiques and eateries. The shops are very touristy (T-shirts, souvenirs, pretzels, chocolate-chip cookies), but the seafood restaurants give you a true taste of the city. You can also find authentic local sourdough bread at Boudin Bakery .

Tourists are not the only crowds you'll encounter at Pier 39. Local sea lions love this waterfront spot and are often found lounging on the Pier 39 docks. There's a viewing area where you can check them out. It's easy to find. You'll hear the sea lions barking from quite a distance!

From Pier 39, you can take a sightseeing cruise for spectacular views of the San Francisco Bay. You might also want to organize a fishing charter boat trip or hop on a whale-watching tour.

Some of the main attractions of Fisherman's Wharf are Madame Tussauds Wax Museum , the Musée Mécanique , Ripley's Believe it or Not! , and Ghirardelli Square . Restored 19th- and 20th-century ships line the waterfront at the Hyde Street Pier , which is now the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park .

• Fisherman's Wharf
• Ghirardelli Square
• The Cannery
• National Maritme Museum
• Maritime State Historic Park
• USS Pampanito
• Art Institute
• Telegraph Hill
• Coit Memorial Tower
• St Peters and Paul

Cable cars were introduced in 1873 to spare the horses from the city's grueling hills. Today, the few remaining cable cars are mainly a tourist attraction rather than a mode of transportation for local residents. Since 1964, these tram-like vehicles have had the unique distinction of being the only public transport system to be declared a National Historic Landmark .

Riding a cable car is an unforgettable tourist experience in San Francisco. It's an exhilarating way to take in the scenery. If you're standing on the open-air deck of a cable car, you'll feel the wind on your face. Anywhere you sit on a cable car, the noise of the brakes will surprise you.

Three sets of brakes are required to stop a cable car: A red lever operates the main brakes, a foot pedal controls the front brakes, and a really loud crank puts the rear brakes in action.

The Powell-Mason and Powell-Hyde are the most scenic routes. These cable car lines will get you to tourist attractions such as Fisherman's Wharf , Ghirardelli Square , the Ferry Building , Nob Hill , and Lombard Street . The California line runs through the Financial District, Chinatown, and Nob Hill.

You can wait for a Powell-Mason or Powell-Hyde cable car at the cable car turntable (departure point), either at Powell & Market Street near Union Square or on Hyde Street near Aquatic Park, Ghirardelli Square, and Fisherman's Wharf. You can catch the California cable car at the Market & Drumm turntable in the Financial District.

Alternatively, you can hop on a cable car at any of the stops. Tickets can be purchased onboard the cable car.

If you are planning on more than a couple of rides or are going to be sightseeing for a few days, consider buying a pass.

Author's Tip: The Powell & Market and California Street cable car turntables (departure points) are in downtown San Francisco, in areas that could be described as gritty. You should be aware of your surroundings and watch your wallet/purse while in these areas.

You may want to avoid taking public transportation if you are going to the Powell & Market turntable. Some consider the Powell Street BART station to be San Francisco's worst example of a station (in a close tie with the Civic Center station). The Embarcadero BART station, near the Market & Drumm turntable, is cleaner and less gritty.

Official site: http://www.sfcablecar.com/

Golden Gate Park, home to gardens and museums, is a fabulous green space in the heart of San Francisco. Before development began in 1871, this was an area of arid dunes.

Today, the park has a network of walking trails and cycling paths, more than 5,000 different kinds of plants and dozens of species of trees, several lakes, bridle paths, and a buffalo paddock.

The main attractions include the de Young Fine Arts Museum, the California Academy of Sciences which houses a planetarium, rainforest, and the Steinhart Aquarium, the Japanese Tea Garden , and the San Francisco Botanical Garden .

Other favorite spots include Stow Lake where you can enjoy boating and picnics, the Conservatory of Flowers which dates to the Victorian era, and the Koret Children's Quarter which has an old-fashioned Herschell-Spillman carousel.

You could easily spend a couple of hours at Golden Gate Park or visit several times over a couple of days. The park is too large to cover it all on foot. If you want to see all of the highlights of Golden Gate Park, you will need a car or a bicycle to get around.

Bike rentals are available, and this can be a good way to explore the park, rather than trying to do everything on foot. Parkwide Bike Rentals offers bicycle rentals at two locations in Golden Gate Park (near the Music Concourse and at the corner of Stanyan & Haight streets); the bicycles are rented out for a full day of use. The company also leads guided bike tours.

Alternatively, try an organized 2.5-hour Segway Tour with a local guide, and hit all the major highlights.

You may have been to Chinatown in other cities, but San Francisco's Chinatown is a whole other realm. It is both the largest and oldest Chinatown in North America. Almost completely destroyed in the 1906 earthquake, Chinatown was rebuilt entirely in the Chinese style and was soon even more attractive than before the disaster.

Chinatown gives you a glimpse of Chinese immigrant culture in San Francisco, an important part of the local heritage. In this compact area (San Francisco's most densely populated neighborhood), you'll find traditional green tile-roofed buildings filled with small businesses, restaurants, dim sum places, houses of worship, herbal shops, tea houses, and boutiques that sell jade jewels, antiques, and souvenirs.

For delicious and authentic Chinese cuisine, try the award-winning Z & Y Restaurant (655 Jackson Street). This Michelin Bib Gourmand -rated restaurant has served two Chinese presidents and several Foreign Ministers as well as other distinguished guests (such as President Obama).

If you are traveling through San Francisco during an important Chinese holiday or event, you can expect to see an elaborate celebration. Chinese New Year celebrations are often considered the best in North America. The main street in Chinatown for tourists is Grant Avenue , with the Chinatown Gateway at Grant Avenue and Bush Street.

San Francisco City Guides offers guided walking tours of Chinatown led by knowledgeable locals, free of charge (donations recommended). The Chinatown tour takes you beyond the main street into the neighborhood's hidden alleyways, to visit a Taoist temple, a fortune cookie factory, and a park where you'll see Chinatown residents practicing tai chi and playing chess outside.

If you don't mind a little exercise, you can do your own walking tour beginning in Chinatown with the help of our San Francisco Walking Tour .

Discover an exquisite fine arts collection, displayed in a beautiful location: a dramatic Neoclassical building surrounded by a woodsy parkland near the ocean. Just outside the museum, you'll find a walking path with perfect outlooks onto the Golden Gate Bridge.

For a scenic hike, continue on the walking path until reaching the Land's End Trail . This winding cliffside trail in a wild, rugged terrain offers sweeping Pacific Ocean views.

The Legion of Honor was the gift of the socialite, philanthropist, and patron of the arts Alma de Bretteville Spreckels. Because of her love for all things Parisian, the museum was designed as a replica of the Palais de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris.

This museum is one of the top cultural attractions in San Francisco. The Legion of Honor 's permanent collection includes European decorative arts, sculptures, and paintings, along with antiquities from the Mediterranean and Near East. Admission to the Legion of Honor Fine Arts Museum also gives you same-day admission to the de Young Fine Arts Museum.

The Palace of Fine Arts in San Francisco is the last remaining structure from the 1915 Panama Pacific Exposition . Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, this Neoclassical building is beautifully situated on a lagoon that reflects the mirror image on the surface of the calm water, while ducks and geese drift by.

The palace has been restored, along with the grounds, and today hosts art exhibitions and cultural events. The Palace of Fine Arts Theatre primarily presents comedy performances.

Address: 3301 Lyon Street, San Francisco

The California Academy of Sciences , in Golden Gate Park , is an architectural marvel as well as a multifaceted museum. The exhibition space is voluminous and bright, thanks to walls that are largely made of glass allowing for natural light.

This state-of-the-art building features an eco-friendly design. The 2.5-acre Living Roof is covered with native plants, grassy fields, and seven "rolling hills" to match the natural surroundings. The roof also has solar panels to generate electricity, and the soil acts as natural insulation.

Inside is an incredible natural history museum, planetarium, aquarium, rainforest, gift shop, café, and restaurant. Both the café and restaurant offer plant-based options and California cuisine specialties prepared from local ingredients.

The Steinhart Aquarium includes some 60,000 live specimens and a 25-foot-deep coral reef. You can descend in a glass elevator to arrive at the aquarium. When you exit the elevator, look up through an acrylic tunnel to see fish swimming overhead in the freshwater mangrove forest.

The four-story-high Osher Rainforest houses tropical flora and fauna (birds, reptiles, amphibians, and insects) within a temperature-regulated environment, beneath an enormous glass dome. The temperature is kept at 82 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. With the humidity, heat, and butterflies fluttering about, you might think you're walking through a real tropical rainforest. Look out for the poison-dart frogs and golden-silk orb-weaver spiders!

The Kimball Natural History Museum has skeletons of a T. rex and a blue whale, along with an exhibit of brilliant gems and minerals and exhibits about earthquakes, coastal fog, local marine mammals, and ancient redwood forests.

Little kids love the Natural History Museum's Tusher African Hall because it houses a colony of African penguins , part of a program to protect endangered species. It's fun to watch these small penguins waddle and splash about in their glass-enclosed area (which replicates their natural habitat). From time to time, the penguins jump or slide into a refreshing pool of water.

Address: 55 Music Concourse Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

If you love modern art, be sure to visit the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) in the SoMa District. SoMa is in downtown San Francisco next to Union Square and the Financial District.

The museum focuses on 20th-century art, in all forms, and the innovative and interesting exhibits are constantly changing. You will have plenty to admire during your visit, as the museum displays thousands of artworks within 170,000 square feet of exhibition space spread across 10 floors.

You can visit one section of the museum free of charge . This area includes 45,000 square feet of space. Here you'll find a Diego Riviera mural and an exhibit of paintings and sculptures dating from the early 20th century to the present. Some of the museum's highlights (such as Femme au chapeau by Henri Matisse, Frieda and Diego Rivera by Frida Kahlo, Lake George by Georgia O'Keeffe, and Mark Rothko's No. 14 ) are in the free-of-charge section. The rest of the museum requires a ticket.

The museum is housed in a modern, architecturally stunning building that was extensively renovated and expanded in 2016. The light and airy building is a pleasure to wander about.

Should you work up an appetite, you can stop for a bite to eat. A lunch menu is available at the museum's casual restaurant and at Café 5 in the museum's Sculpture Garden which features fabulous city views. There's also a coffee shop that serves coffee, tea, pastries, and desserts.

About the neighborhood: SoMa is a happening urban area but unfortunately has recently experienced some of San Francisco's urban issues. Still, you should visit the museum and the attractions near the SFMOMA: the Contemporary Jewish Museum , the Yerba Buena Gardens , the Metreon shopping center (which has a movie theater, restaurants, and casual eateries), and the Children's Creativity Museum , but there's no need to explore SoMa much further.

Address: 151 Third Street, San Francisco

While visiting Golden Gate Park, set aside some time to explore the de Young . This fine arts museum is one of the top cultural attractions in San Francisco. The collection covers a wide variety of exhibits from Mayan antiquities to 19th-century Hudson River landscape paintings.

While art and period interiors from North America feature strongly in the collection, many other exhibits from Egypt, Greece, Rome, and the Near East are of note. British art and folk art from Africa, America, and the Pacific Islands, are also well represented.

Admission to the de Young Fine Arts Museum includes free same-day admission to the Legion of Honor .

Address: 50 Hagiwara Tea Garden Drive, Golden Gate Park, San Francisco

These two uninhabited hills, more than 900 feet high, have one of the finest views out over the city and bay. Access is easy - you can drive to the north peak parking area, park your car, and soak up the amazing vista.

If you're outdoorsy, take a hike along trails over the north and south peaks. This is some of the best hiking in San Francisco . While up here, you may be forgiven for thinking these are the highest of San Francisco's 43 hills; however, that lofty distinction belongs to Mount Davidson, which is 33 feet higher.

The Twin Peaks are the only hills in San Francisco not to have been built over and remain in their original state. The Spaniards called them " Los pechos de la Chola " or the Breasts of the Indian Maiden. Even on warm days, strong, cool breezes blow in from the Pacific, especially in the late afternoon.

The Asian Art Museum is unquestionably one of the most important museums in San Francisco. The museum opened in 1966, with the basis of the collection coming from art collector Avery Brundage.

Brundage built up a private collection, which in 1959 he offered to the city of San Francisco "to bridge the gap between East and West." The museum building was constructed, and on his death in 1975 at the age of 88, the museum also received the rest of his collection of works of art in the form of a legacy.

Building on this, the museum has continued to amass various pieces and now contains an extensive collection of sculptures, paintings, bronzes, ceramics, jade carvings, and architectural fragments from Japan, Korea, China, India, Iran, and other Asian cultures. The works span more than 6,000 years.

Author's Tip: Try to avoid taking public transportation to the Civic Center BART station or walking around the Civic Center area, as this is a rough neighborhood of San Francisco.

Address: 200 Larkin Street, San Francisco, California

If you are traveling with children or you are young at heart, you must visit the Exploratorium . This incredibly popular science museum is one of the most popular things to do with kids in San Francisco . It displays fascinating interactive science exhibits. Kids enjoy the hands-on learning experiences, which educate and entertain at the same time.

Children tend to rate this museum very highly because the exhibits are so much fun to check out. Adults also rave about the Exploratorium whether or not they have kids.

For a top-notch dining experience, try the museum's Seaglass Restaurant which serves seasonal cuisine prepared from local organic ingredients. The sleek modern dining room looks out onto the San Francisco Bay, the Bay Bridge, and Treasure Island. You may also enjoy your meal outside on the bay-view patio.

Address: Pier 15, San Francisco, California

Golden Gate National Recreation Area , not to be confused with Golden Gate Park, is a huge natural area located across the Golden Gate Bridge from downtown San Francisco. This 600-square-mile park in Marin County is a UNESCO-designated Biosphere Reserve and a recreational area. It is also simply a beautiful place to enjoy nature and relax.

The park has walking trails, campgrounds, picnic areas, and beautiful beach areas. Some of the beaches have fabulous views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

The park is home to the historic Fort Baker , a former US Army post from the early 20th century.

Home of the San Francisco Giants, Oracle Park is a fun place to take in a baseball game while visiting the city. If you want to gaze out over the ballpark to the sublime view of the ocean, buy tickets along the 1st base or 3rd baselines or behind home plate.

If you don't have time to see a game, consider taking a 90-minute Oracle Park Ballpark Tour for a behind-the-scenes look at places off-limits to most people. You can step onto the field, sit in the dugout, check out the clubhouse, and learn about the historic moments that have taken place at the ballpark.

Address: 24 Willie Mays Plaza, San Francisco

About a 1.5-hour drive from San Francisco are two gorgeous rural destinations: Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley. These are the two best-known and largest grape-growing areas in California. Many people day trip to this area to enjoy the scenery and stop in at some of the sites along the way.

Top tourist attractions include the quaint town of Yountville , which has many excellent French restaurants, the historic town of Sonoma , and the spa destination of Calistoga where you can see Old Faithful Geyser. In Sonoma, be sure to visit the Sonoma State Historic Park which is partly in the downtown near the Plaza and also includes the historic Mission that was founded in 1823.

Many people visit Napa or Sonoma as a day trip or for a relaxing weekend getaway. You'll find many lovely resorts in the Napa Valley.

Both Napa Valley and Sonoma Valley are renowned for gastronomy. You'll find fine dining establishments as well as casual gourmet restaurants. Napa Valley is home to the Culinary Institute of America where you can take cooking classes and the famous three Michelin-starred restaurant The French Laundry in Yountville.

If you are looking for a non-touristy thing to do in San Francisco, take a 25-minute ferry ride from San Francisco to Angel Island State Park for a refreshing escape to nature. The largest natural island in the San Francisco Bay, Angel Island affords panoramic views of the surrounding bay.

You can enjoy the lovely scenery while hiking or biking on the well-groomed trails. It's possible to hike up to the island's summit, Mount Caroline Livermore , at 788 feet, where the views are sensational.

Relaxation is another reason to visit. The island has picnic areas, campsites, and several sandy beaches ideal for taking a walk or sunbathing. If you enjoy guided sightseeing tours, take a tram tour to see the island from an open-air vehicle. Tram tours include audio guides that share interesting commentary about the island.

Angel Island served as an Immigration Station from 1910 until 1940. You can visit the Angel Island Immigration Museum to learn more about the island's history and to see the barracks where immigrants were detained for weeks or months during an interrogation process.

Well designed for visitors, the island has day-use boat docks, bicycle rentals, and a café that is open daily during the high season and from Wednesday through Sunday during the low season. The café sells snacks, sandwiches, salads, and beverages.

To reach Angel Island , you can take the ferry from San Francisco Ferry Terminal. The Golden Gate Ferry company provides service daily year-round. Keep in mind that it can be expensive to park in this area of San Francisco, so it's best to get a taxi or ride to the San Francisco Ferry Terminal.

Alternatively, you can get to Angel Island from Marin County (north of San Francisco). The Angel Island Tiburon Ferry company runs ferries from Tiburon to Angel Island daily from early March through October; service is limited from November through February.

If you are traveling with a car, you could combine a visit to Angel Island with a trip across the Golden Gate Bridge and a stop in Tiburon. This takes longer if you are based in San Francisco, but it's an incredibly scenic drive and you avoid the hassle and the crowds taking the ferry from the San Francisco Ferry Terminal.

For a full-day outing, add Tiburon to your itinerary. This bayfront town has a charming downtown and an idyllic seaside setting. It's definitely worth visiting, especially if you want to have a meal at a waterfront restaurant with views. The vistas of the Golden Gate Bridge and San Francisco across the bay are spectacular.

When visiting the Fisherman's Wharf area, you must visit Ghirardelli Square . Overlooking the bay, this quaint shopping and dining complex occupies historic brick buildings: a former chocolate factory, a woolen mill, and a mustard company. The square was inaugurated in 1964 and is listed on the National Historic Register .

Today, Ghirardelli Square appeals to chocolate lovers and anyone with a sweet tooth. The main tourist attraction of the square is the Ghirardelli Ice Cream and Chocolate Shop . Here, you can indulge in a decadent hot fudge sundae or shop for Ghirardelli chocolate bars and candies.

Besides chocolate and ice cream, Ghirardelli Square offers an inviting ambiance, with its fountains and flowers, and splendid bay views. Take a stroll around the square as you browse the boutiques. On sunny days, you'll want to spend some time sitting on the outdoor terraces.

The dining options at Ghirardelli Square include an excellent dim sum restaurant, Palette Tea House (which requires advanced reservations), and McCormick & Kuleto's, an old-timey restaurant that specializes in seafood and steaks. If you're looking for stunning bay views, McCormick & Kuleto's does not disappoint. The dining room has floor-to-ceiling windows that look out to the Golden Gate Bridge and Alcatraz Island.

Steps away from Ghirardelli Square near the Hyde Street cable car turntable, you will find Aquatic Park Cove where there is a small beach. Aquatic Parc Cove is also home to the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.

Enjoy afternoon tea at one of San Francisco's landmark hotels, and you'll experience the refinement of another era.

Opened in 1907, the Fairmont San Francisco on Nob Hill delights guests with its opulent lobby and elegant ambiance. The Fairmont offers afternoon tea service on Saturday afternoons, in the lovely Neoclassical Laurel Court dining room. You will be treated to a choice of organic tea, house-made scones with clotted cream, gourmet finger sandwiches, macarons, and other desserts.

The Palace Hotel , in the downtown area near Market Street, is famous for its fancy afternoon tea service. This Gilded Age landmark has a magnificent glass-domed reception area, the Garden Court , where you may enjoy the Signature Tea on Saturday afternoons. It's a sophisticated affair, complete with fine china, sterling silver, and haute cuisine afternoon tea specialties.

If you love the original Disney cartoons or you're traveling with kids who love Disney stories, then make a beeline for the Walt Disney Family Museum in San Francisco. This unique museum is dedicated to chronicling the life and works of Walt Disney.

Exhibits showcase drawings, cartoons, and films created by Walt Disney and describe his worldwide business empire. Also on display are the numerous awards he won over his career, along with priceless sketches of Mickey Mouse.

The Walt Disney Family Museum is located in the Presidio National Park , which has picnic areas, a children's playground, beaches, hiking trails, and scenic overlooks including views of the Golden Gate Bridge.

Take a 45-minute drive north of San Francisco to marvel over the magnificent ancient redwood forest at Muir Woods National Monument . At this serene and shady nature site, meandering paths wind their way alongside a babbling creek and beneath enormous old-growth redwood trees, some of which are nearly 260 feet high.

Until you visit, it's hard to appreciate the incredible sight of these stoic sentinels that have been living quietly in the forest for almost a thousand years.

To get a deeper understanding and to make the most of your visit, check out the Visitor Center , where you'll find fascinating exhibits and displays along with park staff who are happy to answer any questions you may have.

Note that to visit the park, you will need to reserve your parking space or shuttle tickets in advance. Plan ahead to secure a spot in this popular tourist attraction.

As you look up Telegraph Hill in San Francisco, you may notice the cylindrical tower that looks a little like the Leaning Tower of Pisa (without the lean). This is the Coit Tower. Completed in 1933, the tower stands 210 feet high and is one of the best places for panoramic views of the city.

From the top of the tower, the sights that lie before you include Lombard Street, Pier 39, the downtown skyscrapers, the Golden Gate Bridge, and Alcatraz.

Inside the tower are wonderful murals painted in the early 1930s depicting views of daily life during the Depression. The tower is named after its benefactor, Lillie Hitchcock Coit, who was a wealthy and somewhat eccentric lady.

Nestled within charming gardens in the Telegraph Hill neighborhood, Coit Tower is open daily year-round except for a few holidays (Thanksgiving, Christmas, and January 1st). Groups of four or more people may arrange to take a guided tour, for an additional fee, to learn about the murals.

Address: 1 Telegraph Hill Boulevard, San Francisco

If you'd like to visit the key tourist attractions on foot, the best place to stay is near Union Square or in the Nob Hill neighborhood, a short uphill walk from Union Square. You'll find plenty of upscale shops, restaurants, galleries, theaters, and hotels here. San Francisco's famous Chinatown and North Beach ("Little Italy"), with its bustling Italian restaurants and cafés, are just steps away from Union Square.

Union Square is a major transport hub, so it's easy to venture further afield to other attractions via cable car, bus, BART, or taxi.

Fisherman's Wharf is also a popular place to stay, with lively vacation vibes and picturesque bayfront scenery – especially for families who might prefer being in a safer neighborhood than the Union Square/downtown area. Below are some of the best places to stay in San Francisco for sightseeing.

Luxury Hotels:

• The five-star Four Season Hotel San Francisco at Embarcadero is a sleek contemporary-style property on the top floors of a 48-story building. The plush guest rooms and suites feature incredible views of San Francisco Bay and the city skyline.
• A short walk from Union Square, the Four Seasons Hotel San Francisco on Market Street in the SoMa neighborhood provides exceptional service and amenities. The hotel has recently renovated guest rooms and a trendy lounge/restaurant that specializes in California cuisine.
• Consider The Ritz-Carlton for posh accommodation on Nob Hill, the most exclusive neighborhood in San Francisco. Housed in a colonnaded Neoclassical building, this five-star hotel blends old-world elegance with modern amenities including a fitness center, concierge, sun terrace, and an award-winning restaurant.
• Chic contemporary style defines The St. Regis San Francisco , right in the heart of downtown San Francisco in the vibrant SoMa District. This five-star hotel boasts recently redecorated guest rooms, an up-to-date fitness center, a yoga & meditation room, and a fine-dining restaurant that serves seasonal cuisine. The San Francisco Museum of Modern Art (SFMOMA) is steps away, and the Museum of the African Diaspora (MoAD) is next door.

Mid-Range Hotels:

• Chancellor Hotel on Union Square offers excellent value in the heart of Union Square and treats guests to complimentary tea and cookies. This three-star hotel occupies a historic building that has been updated for today's travelers. The cable car runs right past the front of the hotel.
• The boutique three-star Cornell Hotel de France exudes Parisian style in a convenient location between Union Square and Nob Hill. The hotel dates from 1910 and is on the Register of Historic Places. The hotel has a restaurant on the premises which is renowned for its cozy ambiance and traditional French cuisine.
• In a salt-tinged setting by the water, the three-star Courtyard by Marriott San Francisco Fisherman's Wharf boasts a fantastic location. This hotel is a good choice for families seeking accommodations near Ghirardelli Square and Fisherman's Wharf.

Budget Hotels:

• If you're on a budget, try The Herbert Hotel in the heart of downtown. This two-star hotel offers excellent value a short walk from Union Square.
• Between Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square, the Castle Inn provides good value for the price, along with wonderful views. You can walk to Fisherman's Wharf in about 25 minutes and Union Square in 30 minutes.

Several interesting tours in San Francisco make exploring the city easy and hassle-free. Since San Francisco is a large city built on hills, with many uphill climbs and stairs, tours are an especially good idea for anyone with mobility issues.

Tours are also ideal if you have only a couple of days and want to see as much of the city as possible without the challenges of driving or trying to find parking. The following tours are some excellent options for saving time, seeing the sights, and exploring some of the areas outside the city. These also guarantee the lowest prices.

See the Sights :

• The best explore-at-your-own-pace sightseeing tour is the Big Bus San Francisco Hop-On Hop-Off Tour. This double-decker bus tour, with guided narration, allows you to get on and off at the major tourist spots and is a great way to get acquainted with the city while learning a little history and seeing the highlights.
• To add a splash of fun to your sightseeing and save your legs some extra walking, book a San Francisco Waterfront Segway Tour and cruise around Fisherman's Wharf, Ghirardelli Square, and other popular areas.

Cruise the Bay :

• To get out on the water and enjoy the city skyline in the evening, hop on a San Francisco Bay Sunset Catamaran Cruise . This 1.5-hour cruise sails past Alcatraz Island and under the Golden Gate Bridge while the sun sets and the city lights begin to glow.

Get Out of the City :

• San Francisco lies within easy striking distance of some fantastic scenery. The Monterey, Carmel, 17-Mile Drive Tour treats you to an action-packed day. You will see the fabulous coastline, shop at Monterey's Cannery Row, see the charming seaside town of Carmel, and drive along the oceanfront 17-Mile Drive.
• Another very popular trip, offering a chance to see one of America's great national treasures, is a Tour to Yosemite National Park . This is a must for nature lovers who want to see the famous sites of El Capitan and Half Dome and walk among the Giant Sequoias of Sequoia Grove. This tour includes pick-up and drop-off from some San Francisco hotels.
• For a half-day tour that covers a little of everything, the Muir Woods & Sausalito Half-Day Trip is a good mix of nature, sightseeing, and shopping. This tour is available in the morning or afternoon.

More Related Articles on PlanetWare.com

More on San Francisco: Plan out a free walking tour beginning in Chinatown with the help of our San Francisco Walking Tour . For families looking for activities to entertain children, see our article on San Francisco with Kids: Top Things to Do . If you're interested in some healthy dining options, have a read through our list of the best vegan and vegetarian restaurants in San Francisco .

Exploring Northern California: San Francisco is the gateway to some of California's most amazing sites. In three or four hours you can be exploring the sites of Yosemite National Park or gazing out at Lake Tahoe . If you don't want to go that far, have a look at our top-rated day trips from San Francisco to see where you can get to in even less time.

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Getting Around San Francisco: Public Transportation, Parking, & Cable Cars

by Jill Loeffler   •

Updated: November 21, 2023

Getting around San Francisco is easy with our wonderful public transportation options. You can use the bus, ferry, cable car, streetcar, or light rail train to quickly get from one district to the next.

My transit guide also includes the cost to ride Muni, where to buy tickets, and the best options to get to popular neighborhoods and attractions.

In addition, I've provided some tips for those that plan to drive, need some help selecting the right airport, or want to know how to get to other places in the Bay Area and beyond.

Disclaimer : I receive a small commission from some of the links on this page.

Table of Contents

• San Francisco Public Transportation Options
• Additional Ways to Get Around SF
• Cost & How to Pay for SF Muni
• MuniMoble vs. Clipper Card
• How to Get from SFO to SF
• Best Public Transit for Top Attractions
• Best Public Transit for Top Districts

Getting Around the Bay Area and Beyond

Public transportation options for tourists with disabilities, getting around for special events, san francisco public transportation: buses, streetcars, cable cars, and light rail trains.

One of the best ways of getting around San Francisco is by using one of the many public transportation options. Our system is called SF Muni and it includes buses, light rain trains, cable cars, and streetcars. 

Here you will find out a little about each one including some of the best lines to use to get between top districts and attractions.

SF Muni Buses

The most used option for San Francisco public transportation is the bus. There are over 50 different bus lines that take people throughout the city. This is a popular option for locals, meaning some of the buses can get pretty crowded.

However, this is a great option to help you save a little money while you are here. Here are some of the most popular San Francisco public transportation bus routes for those visiting prime San Francisco attractions:

1 California Street: This bus line cuts straight across the city east to west. It covers 14 districts starting from downtown through Nob Hill. You can use this bus to get you up the steep hill to visit  Grace Cathedral , the  Fairmont Hotel , or some of the other historical sites in  Nob Hill . It also heads through  Chinatown , so you can stop on your way up or on the way down to visit this fun San Francisco neighborhood.

7 Haight-Noriega: This San Francisco public transportation bus also runs along Market Street and heads to the famed  Haight Ashbury district . You will ride through a few neighborhoods along the way. It’s an easy and safe option to get you over to this SF district that was a hub of activity during the 60s and 70s.

14 Mission: This transit bus goes diagonally southwest along Market Street. It will take you to the  Mission District  to visit the historic Mission Dolores or for some great food.

30 Stockton: This is a really popular and really busy bus. It runs through Union Square, then through Chinatown, through  North Beach , stops just a few blocks away from Pier 39 and Fisherman's Wharf, and finally ends up in the Marina District.

39 Coit: This bus runs from North Beach up the hill to  Coit Tower . This bus line is really short but is a great option if you don’t want to trek up the large hill to visit Coit Tower San Francisco.

>> Find additional options to get to and from Fisherman's Wharf and our top attractions

SF Muni Light Rail Trains

The next of the San Francisco public transportation options is the Muni light rail trains. There are 6 different train lines that take passengers to and from locations along Market Street, south of Market to Oracle Park, or west of downtown to the  Civic Center  and the  Castro District .

These are mostly underground lines along the busier, downtown areas of San Francisco. However, they then come above ground once the trains get closer to Oracle Park and on the western side of the city.

Here is a quick description of each line:

J-Church: This line goes along Market Street to the Castro. It then continues on to Noe Valley.

K-Ingleside & Third Street: This line runs along Market Street. It's a good option for those heading from Market Street to Oracle Park. It also services Balboa Park and West Portal.

M-Ocean View: This one runs between Market Street to Balboa Park, West Portal, and San Francisco State University.

N-Judah: This train takes you to Haight Asbury, Cole Valley, and both the Inner and Outer Sunset. It's also a great option for getting to and from Golden Gate Park.

T-Third Street: This is the newest train line and opened in early 2023. It takes passengers from Chinatown, through Union Square, past the King Street Caltrain Stop, by the Chase Center and all the way south to Bayshore Blvd. and Sunnydale Avenue.

San Francisco Muni Cable Car System

One of the most popular San Francisco public transportation options is the famed cable cars. Even if you aren't heading to a specific destination, I’d highly recommend taking a cable car ride while you are here.

There are three lines still in operation and two run between Fisherman's Wharf and Union Square . Make sure to check out my tips on how to avoid the long queue for each one and a map of all three SF cable car routes.

>> Cable Cars in SF

San Francisco Muni Streetcars

The F is only one streetcar line (service with the E is suspended) in the San Francisco public transportation system. The F streetcars run along Market Street from the Castro, through Union Square and then down the Embarcadero to  Pier 39 . This line also stops across from Pier 33, where you can take a ferry to  visit Alcatraz .

Although it’s just one line, there are several different streetcars running. All of the street cars are remodeled, vintage, above-ground streetcars from several different cities around the world. The ride is a little jerky at times, but it is a fun way to see the city as you head to your destination.

Oh...and the seats are usually small, so get ready to cozy up with your neighbors.

Get more details about the city's historic streetcars and also learn about the SF Railway Museum.

>> SF Streetcars

Additional Ways for Getting Around San Francisco

If you really love to explore, then getting around San Francisco by walking is the best. SF is small, and you can easily get to many destinations on foot. It might take a little longer but will allow you to stop along the way to check out our colorful murals and admire some of our hidden gems .

I've created some itineraries to help you plan out your visit and see as much as possible. This will allow you to do some exploring on foot and also with transportation options. 

>> Find some great walking tours around SF

Rent a Bike

You can also head out on a bike ride to see even more. Many people use this option for getting around San Francisco, including rides over the Golden Gate Bridge to Sausalito.

You will find several places to rent bikes in Fisherman's Wharf. You can either book in advance or walk in to check them out before you rent. I find that most of the companies along the waterfront are similar in price and quality.

You can also rent e-bikes if you prefer that your bike pick up some of the hard work around SF's steep hills!

>> Check out this deal on Groupon to save on your bike rentals

>> This is also a great self-guided tour for the Golden Gate Bridge (with an option to take the ferry back from Sausalito)

Bike Share Service

San Francisco also has a large bike share network. You can use the system through the Lyft app, the same one as the ride sharing service.

Once you find the bike you want to use, simply tap on the bike icon, scan the QR code on the bike (on the rear fender) and it will unlock the bike for your use. 

You can then ride it around as long as you want. 

Once you are done with the bike, either find a Bay Wheels station to drop it off or use the bike cable to lock it to any bike rack in the service area. Follow the prompts on the app to return the bike and you will automatically be charged for your trip.

Bay Wheels offers both regular and e-bikes. The e-bikes cost more, but make getting around San Francisco easy.

Ferry Systems

With so much water around the city, sometimes taking a ferry will save you some time. And, it's so much fun! Click through to find out more about the different ferry options, including schedules, prices and other tips for riding the SF ferries.

• Sausalito Ferry
• Tiburon Ferry 

Find advanced tickets for both here .

The Golden Gate Ferry includes routes to and from Angel Island, Marin County, Oakland, and Vallejo. They also offer routes to and from major sporting events in the city of San Francisco.

Not sure which one is right for you? Check out all the SF ferry options .

Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

If you prefer to get directly from one attraction to the next, you will find that getting around San Francisco on a Hop-On Hop-Off bus is quite easy. You simply hop on the bus at one of its stops. You can then hop off and on again at any stop on the route.

You can stop at the Golden Gate Bridge, Golden Gate Park, and several locations in between. All buses pick up and drop off at the same location, so you know exactly where to wait for the next bus to arrive.

You can buy tickets for 24 or 48 hours. The entire route runs about 2 to 2.5 hours, but with all the stops you will want to make, it will most likely take you a day or two.

>> Find more details on our Hop-On Hop-Off Buses

>> Book tickets for the Hop-On Hop-Off Buses here

Guided Tours

Another popular way to get around San Francisco (and beyond) is through a guided tour. You can do a bus tour of the city, take a day tour to Muir Woods, or head up to wine country.

You can also do a guided tour by GoCar, bike, or walking. With an expert guide, there is no better way to see San Francisco.

>> Find a full list of top tours around San Francisco

Taxis & Rideshare Services (Uber & Lyft)

Taking a taxi is the most popular option for getting around San Francisco. It's fast and easy. However, it's a little more expensive. 

The new alternative is to download the Uber or Lyft app and use it when you need to get around. You will find they are very competitive and, in some cases, even less expensive than a taxi.

My San Francisco taxi guide includes some prices between popular destinations as well as a few tips on getting a cab at SFO.

>> Tips for taxis in SF

Have you seen the small cabs being pulled around SF and other cities by bike? Those are pedicabs and they are another great way for getting around San Francisco.

Most offer rides between the Ferry Building and Fisherman's Wharf. You can also request that they take you to Oracle Park. Their routes are limited to ensure they don't slow down traffic on busy streets, but they are a fun way to travel.

>> Read more about my experience with Golden Gate Pedicab

Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART)

We also have a subway called the Bay Area Rapid Transit (or BART). There are eight stops in the city of San Francisco and it's a great option to get from SFO into SF. You can learn more about it here . 

The eight stops, in order from northeast to southwest, are:

• Embarcadero
• Montgomery Street
• Powell Street
• Civic Center/UN Plaza
• 16th Street Mission
• 24th Street Mission
• Balboa Park

Rental Cars

Renting a car is expensive and not necessary for getting around San Francisco. However, if you plan to visit areas around the SF Bay or beyond such as Muir Woods, Napa, or Yosemite, you will find several places for rentals.

You can either pick up your vehicle at SFO when you arrive or pick one up for a few days right within SF. The second option is best if you only need the car for a day or two.

My guide offers tips on where to find rental car companies in key districts as well as a few things to think about before you rent.

>> More on renting a car in SF

San Francisco Parking and Garages

If you decide to brave the parking scene, there are a few options in the city. Parking on the street is the cheapest option, but it is tough to find. It's also hard to find a spot that isn't limited to only those with parking permits.

The best option is to find a parking garage. There are a number of garages in Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf. You can also park at your hotel, but all of these options can be expensive.

Garages in Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf are pricey and will run around $25 to $70 a day. Most hotels will also charge anywhere from $20 to $70 a day, but these spots are more secure than a standard parking garage.

Parking is also difficult around the Golden Gate Bridge, so I created this page to help you find a few great options before you arrive.

>> Find parking tips and the best garages in top districts

Cost and How to Pay for SF Muni

Here are a few answers to questions about how much it costs, how to pay, and where to buy tickets when using SF Muni. 

There are three ways to pay for your Muni fare on San Francisco's buses, cable cars, streetcars, and the light rail trains.

1. MuniMobile App: Best Option

The MuniMobile app is a great money and time-saving option for getting around San Francisco on public transportation.

I think it's the best option as it's easy for both you and the transit employees. You can also get a day pass or a visitor passport, so you don't have to worry about buying a ticket for each ride.

To use this option, you'll need to download the MuniMobile app on either the Apple or Google Play stores. 

Per Ticket Price : The per ticket price for adults when using MuniMobile is $2.50 . This is also good for 120 minutes of travel. Before you hop on the bus, simply open the app and select the single ticket purchase option. When you enter the bus, simply scan your ticket from your app on the ticket boxes at either the front or back door. 

Day Pass : The Day Pass is a great savings option if you plan to use San Francisco public transportation several times in one day. The pass is just $5 per person and allows you unlimited rides for the day on Muni buses, streetcars, and trains. It does not include cable car rides. 

Visitor Passport : Another great option is our visitor passports. They are offered as 1-, 3-, or 7-day passes. They include unlimited rides on buses, streetcars, and trains. This one does include unlimited rides on the cable cars as well. 

• 1-Day Muni Passport : The 1-Day Passport using MuniMobile is $13 per person.
• 3-Day Muni Passport : The 3-Day Passport using MuniMobile is $31 per person.
• 7-Day Muni Passport : The 7-Day Passport using MuniMobile is $41 per person. If you are staying for five or six days, this last one is a better deal than two 3-day passes or a 3-day and a 1-day pass. 

To use the passport, open your passport and wave it over the ticket scanners in the front or back of the bus, train, or streetcar. On the cable cars, one of the drivers will scan your passport with their hand scanner. The passport is activated the first time you use it on any Muni transit option.

It will then run out at 11:59 pm on the first, third, or seventh day after you use it for the first time. It will not skip a day or extend your days if you don't use it for a day or two in between.

If you are staying longer, you can also buy a monthly pass through the MuniMobile app.

Rides on  BART are not included with the MuniMobile day passes or visitor passports . You would need to buy a Clipper card for these rides.

>>  Visit the SF Muni site to learn more about the Muni passport

2. Using Cash on SF Muni

All four modes of Muni transportation allow you to pay by cash. However, since cash slows down the process to ride, you will pay more per ride with this option. 

For the buses and streetcars, you'll pay at the front with bills and coins. Make sure you have the exact amount as they don't offer change. 

The light rail trains are on tracks both on the streets and underground. When the train is above ground, you'll also pay in cash at the front.

They also don't give change, so make sure you have exact change. If you go to a station that is underground, you'll need to buy a ticket at one of the kiosks.

They allow you to use cash, credit card, or debit card and they do offer change.

The current cash price to ride the bus, trains, or streetcars on SF Muni is $3 for adults. You will also receive a transfer that you can use for 120 minutes.

This allows you to transfer to a new bus or take a second bus to a new destination without paying. The transfers can be used on the light rail, buses, and streetcars only.

On the cable cars, you'll pay one of the two people working the system. They only accept exact change, so make sure you have exactly what you need to pay for your fare before you hop on.

The cash price for cable cars is $8 . They do not offer transfers, so if you do want to hop off and then back on, you will need to pay a second time. 

3. Clipper Card

The third option for paying is the Clipper Card. This card allows you to use a few different transit systems including those that take you outside San Francisco.

I only recommend this one for those that stay outside SF and plan to use other transit systems such as BART, Caltrain, and the Golden Gate Transit System frequently. You can also use it on SF Muni Metro, but you don't need it unless you plan to use other transit systems around the Bay Area.

This is more of an option for locals or those planning to stay more than a couple of months in the area. It's also for short-term visitors that are not staying right in the city of SF and will need to frequently use other transit options to get in and out of SF. 

The first thing to note about the Clipper Card is you can either get in through their app or pay for a physical card. The app is the best option as a physical clipper card costs $3. This $3 charge is non-refundable.

Pay for Individual Rides : The way the Clipper Card works is you can add any amount of money to your account. You will then swipe the card when you jump on any SF Muni, BART, Caltrain, or other SF Bay Area mass transit options. The specific Clipper Card amount will be deducted from your account without you having to grab cash for each transaction. You will often get a small discount for your rides when you use the Clipper Card versus paying cash.

Muni Passports : You can purchase the Muni Passports using the Clipper Card app. 

Monthly Passes : You can also use the Clipper Card to buy a monthly pass for Muni, a combined monthly pass for Muni and BART, and other transit systems around the SF Bay Area. Each one works in a slightly different way, so you'll need to check out each option before buying. 

Where to Buy Tickets for SF Public Transit

Now that you know all three options for paying, you may be asking where you buy your tickets. Here is a little more information.

Single-Use Tickets : You can use a credit card, cash, or debit cards at the ticket machines in the underground stations near downtown San Francisco. You can also use either your MuniMobile App or the Clipper Card for single-use tickets. You can pay directly on most transit systems using cash. Note that BART no longer offers single-use paper tickets. 

One Day Muni Passes : This pass is just $5 and includes unlimited rides on Muni buses, light rail trains, and streetcars. You can buy this through the MuniMobile App or at a ticket kiosk at one of the underground stations near downtown SF. This option is inexpensive, but it does not include rides on our cable cars.

Visitor Passports : The best place to purchase these is through the MuniMobile app. You can also buy them at ticket kiosks in the underground stations at the Embarcadero, Montgomery Street, Powell, the Civic Center, and Van Ness Street. They cost quite a bit more when you buy them through the kiosks. The final option is to buy them through the Clipper Card, which is the same price as buying them through the MuniMobile app.

MuniMobile vs. Clipper Card

There is a lot of confusion on the difference between the MuniMobile app and the Clipper Card. Since I'm asked about it a lot, I thought I would do a quick comparison to help you understand the difference so you can select the right one for your stay. Make sure to also read the section above which offers quite a bit more information about each card. 

• MuniMobile can only be used on San Francisco Muni, which is for Muni cable cars, streetcars, buses (make sure they have the Muni logo on them), and light rail trains.
• Clipper Card is a combined card that can be used for most Bay Area transit systems. This includes SF Muni, BART, Golden Gate Transit, SamTrans, and Caltrain.
• MuniMobile is a prepay system so it allows you to buy single tickets, Muni passports, and one day tickets in advance of your ride.
• The Clipper Card allows you to pay in two different ways. You can buy monthly passes or Muni passports in advance. To pay for single rides, you must add money to your Clipper Card account. Money will be deducted from your account when you swipe your card for single rides. You must refill your account when it runs low.
• MuniMobile allows for instant access to tickets purchased through its app.
• The Clipper Card may make you wait two or more days before you can use the value loaded online. However, any value you add in person or through your phone's mobile wallet should be available immediately,
• MuniMobile tickets and passes expire after 90 days, even if they are unused.
• The money in your Clipper Card account does not expire and you can use it when you return. However, if you plan to only visit the area once, it's difficult and time consuming to get a refund on the money left over in your account. Make sure to plan out your use of the card, so you don't get left with a large balance that takes some time to get returned. 

How to Get from SFO to San Francisco

There are a few ways to get from SFO to San Francisco. Here are some of the most popular options. 

SFO Shuttles : Pre-Covid, shared vans were a cost-effective way to get from SFO into the city or the surrounding communities. Several companies ran these shuttles, but most of them currently offer private charters only. Click here to learn more about my experiences , the pros & cons, and recommendations for top shuttle companies. 

SFO BART Station : The Bay Area Rapid Transit system is another great way to get from SFO to San Francisco. It's perfect for those who are traveling light and are able to then walk to their hotels (or take an Uber/Lyft/Taxi) from one of its SF stations. 

Uber/Lyft/Taxi : You can also use a ride-hailing app to request a car. Taxis are readily available outside arrivals. Both options will cost anywhere from $35 to $70 before tip/taxes to get to places throughout SF. 

>> Find tips for getting from SFO to Union Square

>> Tips to get from SFO to Fisherman's Wharf

More About the Three San Francisco Bay Area Airports

Three airports service San Francisco and the Bay Area. Each one is a good fit for a specific list of cities. Read on to learn more about each airport.

• San Francisco International Airport (SFO)
• Oakland (OAK)
• San Jose (SJC)

Best Public Transportation for Top Attractions

Here are a few tips for getting around San Francisco to key attractions. They are some of the most popular Muni routes and will show you what buses to take during your visit.

Alcatraz : The F streetcar will take you directly to Pier 33. You can pick it up in Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf.

Angel Island : The only way to get to Angel Island is by ferry. They leave from the Ferry Building. The best way to get to these ferry terminals is on the F streetcar.

Oracle Park : The E streetcar and both the N and K light rail lines drop off right in front of Oracle Park. This is where the SF Giants play.

Baker Beach : The easiest way to get to Baker Beach is by picking up the PresidiGo in downtown SF. This will take you to the Presidio Transit Center where you can then hop on a shuttle to get to Baker Beach. You can also take the 1 or 38 bus from Union Square and downtown SF, transfer to the 29 (get off at Lincoln Boulevard and Bowley Street) and walk about a half-mile to the beach.

I will also sometimes grab the 1 and then walk from the stop at 25th Avenue & Geary over to Baker Beach. It's just under a mile and will save you some time vs waiting for the bus to take you that half mile to the beach.

Golden Gate Bridge : You have two options for getting around San Francisco and over to the Golden Gate Bridge. Muni, SF's transit, offers a bus that will take you right to the Visitor's Center on the southern side. It's the 28 and you will need to transfer over to this bus if you are coming from Union Square or Fisherman's Wharf. This is the slower, but less expensive option.

You can also get on any Golden Gate Transit bus from downtown SF. All of them stop at the Golden Gate Bridge. It's easier as you don't have to transfer, but it will cost about twice as much per person. Also, the bus drivers might discourage you from taking this bus but tell them you are okay with the added fee as it's a more direct route.

Golden Gate Park : To get to Golden Gate Park, you can take the N Judah or the 5 Fulton. The N Judah runs on the southern end of the park and the 5 Fulton runs along the northern edge of the park. From there, you can walk to your destination inside Golden Gate Park .

Pier 39 : This is another top destination. You will find several options to get to Pier 39 . You can take the Powell Mason cable car from Union Square or the F streetcar.

Twin Peaks : If you want to climb to the top of Twin Peaks for amazing views around SF, then head over to the Castro Street Station first (F streetcar or the K, L + M light rail trains). From here, transfer over to the 37 and get off on Crestline Drive. This is where you will find a set of stairs that will take you first to the main road and then you can climb one or both of the peaks.

Getting Around San Francisco: Districts

Here are a few tips for getting around San Francisco to some of our top districts.

Castro : There are a variety of options that will take you to the Castro District . The F streetcar is slow, but a fun ride. You can also take the faster light rail trains. The K, L + M all stop at the Castro Street Station. The J will stop in the Castro also.

Chinatown : You can either walk, take the bus, or ride a cable car to Chinatown . Buses that run through this district are the 30 and the 45. All three cable cars get within a few blocks of Chinatown. 

Civic Center : The Civic Center District also offers a variety of SF transit options. You can also take the F streetcar or the K, L, M, N & J light rail trains. This is where you can visit the Asian Art Museum , City Hall , and performing arts options such as the symphony , ballet , theater , or opera .

Fisherman's Wharf : You can get to Fisherman's Wharf on the F streetcar. You can also get here on two of the three cable car lines (Powell/Hyde & Powell/Mason). All of these options are a great way for getting around San Francisco and to popular destinations in this district.

Haight-Ashbury District : The Haight-Asbury District is another top neighborhood to visit during your stay. Two of the best buses for this district are the 6 and the 7. Both will take you right along the main commercial area on Haight Street.

Mission : You can get to the Mission on the 14, 22, or 49 buses. You can also take BART from Union Square or the Civic Center district.

Nob Hill : Reach the top of Nob Hill on the California cable car. Other options include walking up its steep hills or taking the 1-California bus.

North Beach : North Beach is a fun place to visit and home to the Beat Generation of the 1950s and 1960s. You can reach it on the 30 and 45 buses. You can also reach it on the Powell/Mason cable car line. If you love walking, it's also a nice walk from both Union Square and Fisherman's Wharf.

Union Square : Union Square is in the heart of the city and where you will find dozens of public transportation options. You can get here by light rail, bus, and all three cable car lines. You can also use BART or the F streetcar line. More tips for getting to and from Union Square .

There are also great ways for getting around the the entire Bay Area on public transportation. This section provides some tips and information on these three options. You will also find some more information on getting around San Francisco plus tips to get to and from popular Bay Area destinations and beyond.

BART is the Bay Area Rapid Transit system. This train system services stops in San Francisco, SFO, the Peninsula, and the East Bay. This is a great public transportation San Francisco option for those traveling in from SFO or over to East Bay cities.

BART runs from the East Bay, through San Francisco and south to one of the main airports. BART also travels to and from the city to Berkley, Oakland, Walnut Creek, and other east bay locations. You can also easily get from San Francisco to the Oakland Airport on BART.

It runs mainly underground in the city along Market Street. You can also use BART to get to and from Union Square to the Civic Center District and on to the Mission. 

The BART map below is the official map from their website. It shows all of the routes and many of the main stops along the way. You can also plan your trip by visiting the official BART web site .

Fares vary depending on the distance between the BART station where you board and the station where you get off. They range from around $5 to $15 per person.

How to Pay to Ride BART

Since BART is not part of San Francisco's public transportation system (even though it has eight stops in SF), I wanted to separate this piece out to explain the different ways to pay for it and where to find tickets. 

Clipper: You'll probably either pay with a plastic Clipper Card (which costs $3 to acquire the first time) or a digital Clipper Card on your phone (which is free to download and uses Apple or Google Pay). If using the physical card, refer to the fare chart at the vending machine and insert cash or a debit or credit card to load the amount needed. You can always load more than needed and use the balance for future trips, but beware that you probably won't recover any unused credit on your card.

Muni/BART Combined Monthly Pass: This is also an option, but only a good idea for those planning to stay for a month or more.

Since the BART subway system is for the entire Bay Area and not just SF, you are not able to pay for BART using the Muni app. Rides on BART are not included with the the Muni Day Pass, the multi-day Visitor Passports, or the standard monthly Muni pass. 

Caltrain 

Caltrain is another train system with two stops in San Francisco. It’s mainly used for those traveling to and from the peninsula and all the way down to San Jose.

It’s a great option for those coming to and from Oracle Park for games. It’s also used by those commuting in from San Jose or from SF down to San Jose. 

The train station in the city is located in the South of Market area at 4th and King Streets. The trains run about once an hour both northbound and southbound on the weekend. They run a little more frequently during the week, specifically around the morning and late afternoon commute times.

Caltrain charges rates by zones and each station is listed in a specific zone. If you take the train from Zone 1 to Zone 6, the cost is around $15 per person one way. If you stay within one zone, the cost is only $3.75 per person one way.

You are also required to buy your ticket before you board. Caltrain does not sell tickets onboard and someone always comes around to check tickets to ensure people have paid before boarding. There are usually one or two kiosks in each station where you can purchase your ticket by cash or credit card.

Golden Gate Transit

Another option for getting into and out of the city is the Golden Gate Transit system. This public transportation San Francisco option focuses on people wanting to get to and from Marin County, north of the Golden Gate Bridge .

Golden Gate Transit runs several buses to and from Marin County. They also have their fares set up in zones, so it makes it easy to see what it will cost you to get around. Golden Gate transit also services a couple of stops in Sonoma County.

To get from the city to the furthest station in Sonoma, the cost is around $14. To get from stops in Sausalito or Tiburon, the cost is $8 one way, per person.

Getting from SF to Places Outside the City

Here are a few details on getting around San Francisco to popular destinations in the SF Bay and Beyond. I've included times to get there as well as the best public transportation where available.

SF to/from Muir Woods : There are three ways to get to  Muir Woods  from San Francisco. You can drive (parking reservations are now required), take a shuttle from Sausalito, or go on a guided tour. Muir Woods is about 45 minutes north of San Francisco by car. 

SF to/from Oakland : The best way to get over to Oakland from San Francisco is BART. There are several stops downtown. You can also get to the  Oakland Coliseum for an A's baseball game  or the Oakland International Airport.

SF to/from San Jose : You can either take Caltrain or drive to San Jose. Both the train and driving will take about an hour and a half.

SF to/from Berkeley : BART is also your best option to get to and from Berkeley. There are three stops with access to Berkeley. Ashby will get you to the southern side of town, downtown will put you right in the heart, and North Berkeley will get you to the northern end. You can also drive to Berkeley, but parking can be challenging here.

SF to/from Marin : Marin is just to the north of San Francisco across the Golden Gate Bridge. You can access a fair amount of Marin by ferry or bus. You can also drive if you are heading to a location that is not near a public transit stop.

SF to/from Napa Valley : The best way to get to  Napa  is to either drive or take a guided tour. While you can take public transit to get there, it will take more than 3.5 hours in total with transfers. If you drive on your own, it will take just over an hour to reach the southern end and about an hour and 45 minutes to reach Calistoga on the northern end.  Here are a few more tips to get between these two locations .

SF to/from Santa Rosa : You can also easily access Santa Rosa by bus or car. Golden Gate Transit offers a stop in Santa Rosa on their 101 bus. This takes about 2 and a half hours and runs every hour. You can also get here in just over an hour by car.

SF to/from Half Moon Bay : Half Moon Bay is about a 45-minute drive south of San Francisco. Driving is easy. However, if you want to take public transportation, that is also an option. It will take about an hour and a half with two to three transfers.

Monterey Transportation

Many people love to visit Monterey during their stay in San Francisco. Here are some tips on how to get there and how to get around once you arrive. You will also find tips to select the right airport based on how long you are staying near Monterey.

>>   Transit To & Around Monterey

Most of the San Francisco and Bay Area transit systems are available for tourists with disabilities. 

Here are a few more details.

• BART and Muni stations include elevators to access above or underground trains.
• Several streetcar and light rail train stops offer wheelchair accessible ramps. 
• Buses offer wheelchair accessible ramps and dedicated areas for wheelchair users. There are also straps to keep your wheelchair in one place as you ride around San Francisco.
• There are tactile maps of the Muni stations/stops with Braille and raised characters.

Unfortunately, our historic cable cars are not wheelchair accessible. Due to their design, these historic vehicles do not offer space and/or ramps for wheelchair users to access them.

You will also find additional services for certain special events and holidays. SF Muni, BART, and Caltrain often work together to offer additional trains, buses, and shuttles for annual fireworks displays, large festivals, and more. 

You will also find special ferries that run to both Oracle Park and the Chase Center for our professional sports teams.

This is where you can find more about each one:

• Fourth of July Fireworks
• New Year's Eve
• San Francisco Giants at Oracle Park
• Golden State Warriors & concerts at the Chase Center

Comments? Questions? Suggestions?

I would love for you to join me in my private Facebook group ! 

It's a great place to interact with me and others who know the area well.

You can ask questions, get advice for your upcoming stay, and then share your photos and advice with others when you return home. It's a great community and the fastest way to get answers to those nagging questions about your visit!

Come join the fun here !

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How to Save

The Muni Passport (Muni Pass) is a pass for city transportation that allows unlimited use of the Muni transportation network ( metro , buses , and streetcars ) and the historic cable cars .

It's important to remember that the Muni Passport cannot be used on BART  transportation, so it’s not valid for getting to the airport .

Muni Pass Fares

Where can you get one.

The best place to buy a Muni Pass ticket is the San Francisco Visitor Information Center . It's located very centrally (on the junction of Market St. and Powell St.) and is also a good place to get tourist information and good discounts.

How Do You Use It?

When you buy it, the Muni Pass does not include the period of validity, so you'll need to mark it yourself by scratching the circles which indicate the month and dates of use , in consecutive order.

Is It Worth It?

The Muni pass is a good deal if you're planning to use public transport  at least a couple of times a day (especially if you'll be using the cable car , which costs US$ 7 per trip).

You may also be interested in

By searching for flights and hotels in advance, you can save a fair amount of money, plus there are many other ways to make your stay in San Francisco a bit more affordable.

San Francisco CityPass®

The San Francisco CityPASS® includes free admission to 4 of San Francisco's most popular attractions in San Francisco.

• Getting Around

With multiple ways of paying, buying your Muni bus, rail or cable car tickets is easy.

Clipper® : Use your Clipper card on all Bay Area transit systems, including Muni. To pay for your trip, tag your Clipper card or Clipper mobile on the ticket readers inside Muni buses and at Muni Metro fare gates.

MuniMobile® : Download the app and purchase your Muni fares instantly from your phone. Activate your ticket in the app when you board a Muni bus or enter the subway.

Cash: Fares can be paid on surface transportation only (not Muni Metro) with any U.S. currency or coin. Exact change is required.

Youth Ride Free:  Youth aged 18 and under ride free on all regular Muni service (cable car excepted). Youth aged 4 and under ride Cable Car free.

Transfer Discounts :

Inter-Agency Transfers - A fifty-cent discount is provided off the adult fare for  transfers to Muni  from any connecting agency.

Daly City BART Transfer– A free round-trip transfer is provided to all customers transferring from the Daly City BART station to Muni lines serving that station when using Clipper.

Fare Options

Single ride - adult (ages 19-64), monthly - adult (ages 19-64), single ride - discount, monthly - discount, cable car single ride, 1-day visitor passport, 3-day visitor passport, 7-day visitor passport, your chase center event ticket = your muni fare, free muni for all youth (18 years and younger), free muni for seniors (ages 65+), free muni for people with disabilities, access pass, clipper start, lifeline pass.

Local Highlights

Tourist trap vs the real deal: San Francisco

• Posted on February 16, 2022
• Updated on June 26, 2023

When it comes to eats and attractions, it seems like just about every major city has two sides to it: the popularized, do-it-for-the-Gram spots, and the low-ley, if-you-know-you-know ones. And, while tourist traps are designed to attract out-of-towners (and may end up garnering more likes,) seeking out the places that are a little off the beaten path can be totally rewarding. 

In few cities is this more true than in San Francisco . The Golden City has seemingly too many tourist traps to count — which is not to say tourist traps can’t be fun! Part of the reason that tourist traps work is the fact that they can be a ton of fun for out-of-towners that don’t know the city quite like locals might. But, when you’re living at   Common Powell in the Union Square neighborhood, you’ll have plenty of time to get to know the more cutty spots in SF (in addition to getting one of the best housing deals in the Bay Area.)

Getting to know the in’s and out’s of San Francisco is definitely worth it, but if you don’t have time to do that then don’t sweat: we’ve put together a crash course. Here are some San Francisco tourist traps vs. the real deal!

Something’s fishy

Before you call us out: yes, the Fishermans’ Wharf is an iconic San Francisco attraction. But is it worth braving the crowds for a photo opp and mall-food-court food more than once? No! Sorry… that got a little spicy. What we’re saying is: visit the Fisherman’s Wharf for Museé Mecanique alone, and hit the Ferry Building for your people-watching and noshing. Within walking distance of Common Powell, the Ferry Building is a converted, well, ferry building , which now houses an eclectic mix of big-name vendors like Blue Bottle and scrappy bagel upstarts like Daily Driver . While the Ferry Building may draw crowds comparable to the Wharf on occasion, your reward for braving the crowds is much larger. 

Lom-bored Street

Okay, that’s not entirely fair. Lombard Street is a totally interesting attraction, and is absolutely worth visiting once! But, after the initial charm, the bumper-to-bumper traffic — on the street itself and on the accompanying steps — isn’t at all worth it. The alternative to Lombard? The legendary Sutro Baths . As far as San Francisco oddities go, the century-old Baths blow a windy road out of the water (no pun intended.) Once a major destination for athletic and leisurely swimmers in the San Francisco area, the Sutro Baths now sit in ruin but are still open to the public. Ditch the drive down Lombard Street and make a beeline toward the Sutro Baths! 

Not the sweet you’re thinking of… 

While the truly legendary chocolatiers at Ghirardelli have achieved bonafide celebrity status, we have a different San Francisco dessert in mind — particularly one that isn’t available at every Target on the planet. The sweet-toothed sister of Tartine Bakery, Tartine Manufactory is dedicated to all things saccharine. James Beard -recipient Elisabeth Prueitt’s take on even the simplest of treats (seriously, try the shortbread) is sure to impress, but house specialties like tangerine-key-lime pie are fully-fledged showstoppers. By all means, indulge in an ultra-decadent sundae at Ghirardelli on occasion, but when it comes to San Francisco go-to sweets: Tartine Manufactory is the move . 

Avoid the trap with Common

All hot takes aside, San Francisco’s unique mix of tourist traps and real deal, must-see spots is what makes the city so special! This likely goes without saying, but the above list is far from a definitive list of can’t-miss San Francisco attractions — and is far from a condemnation from the Bay Area’s many tourist traps. Rather, it is evidence that San Francisco contains multitudes : so live life in SF exactly how you want to! 

Speaking of living how you want: Common is the best way to do so in San Francisco . Homes within walking distance of some of the city’s best if-you-know-you-know spots, attainable rents, and beautiful amenities are just some of the many draws of Common Powell — and, like the Bay Area itself, it takes being a Common member to fully understand what makes living at our homes so great.

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Topographic.

Maps of San Francisco

On San FranciscoMap360° you will find all maps to print and to download in PDF of the city of San Francisco in USA. You have at your disposal a whole set of maps of San Francisco in USA: transports map of San Francisco (metro map, train map, bus map, airport map), streets and neighborhood maps of San Francisco, tourist attractions map of San Francisco, old maps of San Francisco and other maps of San Francisco in USA.

All San Francisco maps

To help you move into the city, you may use the transport maps of San Francisco. It includes the San Francisco metro and train network, the bus system of San Francisco and the airport of San Francisco. To visit the city of San Francisco in USA, you will find the tourist attractions maps highlighting the monuments of San Francisco, but also maps of streets and neighborhoods of San Francisco. You will also find other maps like topographic maps or old map of San Francisco in USA.